The game has changed. Not just for the USC Trojans, but for every program in College Football. Whether you want to still call it NIL, or Pay to Play, every program is dealing with this new world of agents, managers, and contract negotiations.
Before this new era, teams had player personnel directors. People in this position would oversee the recruiting staff, assist the entire football staff with day-to-day operations, handle marketing initiatives to assist in recruiting efforts, and aid with anything else that players and coaches needed in order to succeed. In a way, these people have always been considered “General Managers.”
However, in this new era, there is a new responsibility that has been thrust upon GMs, and that is dealing with agents and managers in contract negotiations and NIL deals.
Most, if not all, college player personnel directors never had to deal with this task because, well, pay-to-play was illegal not that long ago.
In this iteration of College Football, to succeed, and build long-term success, you really need to build an NFL-style front office. A true GM that can handle contract negotiations, but also a support staff that can carry out that side of the business.
It pains me to say it, but the pageantry that once was College Football is dead. It’s a professional sport now, and it is high time for the USC Trojans to recognize this conclusion and build a powerhouse front office.
Here are 5 General Manager Candidates that would turn USC into an elite recruiting and retention machine.
Top 5 General Manager Candidates For The USC Trojans
Brandon Sosna, Senior Vice President Of Football Operations – Washington Commanders
To me, this is the biggest no-brainer if Sosna had an interest in coming back. For those who don’t know, Sosna was executive senior associate athletic director/chief of staff at USC before moving to the NFL. He is credited as being the true architect of bringing Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles, which at the time, was deemed by every person with a heartbeat as a home run hire.
With the Commanders, Sosna reports directly to the GM, Adam Peters. He is the team’s lead contract negotiator, oversees a number of football operations departments, and is one of the team’s liaisons to the business operation. Per the team website, he also plays a role in strategy around roster construction, the salary cap, and the CBA.
I mean, this sounds exactly like what Lincoln Riley and USC need. He helped hire Riley, is familiar with the University and City, and now has three years of NFL experience.
No. Brainer.
Chad Alexander, Assistant GM – Los Angeles Chargers
Lincoln Riley has spoken before about the benefit of having two NFL franchises right in their backyard. He knows Rams head coach Sean McVay well and has picked the brains of the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh. So why not hire from within the confines of Los Angeles?
Alexander built his chops in the scouting department and spent many years in the Baltimore organization. Joe Douglas hired him to work under him for the Jets, and then Joe Ortiz made him his number-two guy when the Chargers hired him.
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He would bring tremendous talent evaluation to the USC program, but also a wealth of front office experience, including his leadership that has helped aid the Chargers to a playoff birth this season.
Alexander will be a hot name for NFL GM openings, so if the Trojans could get him to stay in LA and move to the College level, it would be a fantastic hire.
John McKay, Director Of Pro Scouting – Los Angeles Rams
Let’s keep it in LA one more time shall we, and add a legacy last name at that.
John McKay is the grandson of the late great USC coaching legend of the same name. He is the son of Rich McKay, who is currently the CEO of the Atlanta Falcons.
McKay has been with the Rams for the entire Sean McVay era and directly works with GM Les Snead, and contract guru Tony Pastoors. His name is quickly rising in the front office ranks, but may still be a few years away before landing a GM role. This could bode well for USC as they can promote him now and give him the keys to run the front office.
A rising star, and a USC legacy? Check.
Ian Cunningham, Assistant GM – Chicago Bears
I would be shocked if Cunningham does not get an NFL GM job this go-around, but that doesn’t mean that the USC Trojans shouldn’t pick up the phone and make him an offer.
He has already interviewed for four GM jobs, making it to the final round in three cycles, and was even offered the Arizona job. He worked in the front offices of the Ravens and Eagles before coming to the Bears and has been instrumental in roster construction, while also playing a role in all football operations and managing the salary cap.
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Don’t let the Chicago Bears’ on-field ineptitude fool you, Cunningham is one of the bright stars in the business.
As I said, Cunningham may end up being the number one target for many NFL franchises, but USC can offer a new challenge and can pay a premium.
Ray Agnew, Assistant GM – Detroit Lions
This would be another home run hire for the USC Trojans and another candidate that should get plenty of NFL looks.
A former first-round pick, Agnew played in the NFL for a Decade. He got his first executive job with the Los Angeles Rams and followed Brad Holmes to Detroit when the Lions hired Holmes as GM.
Since being in Detroit, Holmes and Agnew have made the once-hapless Lions into an NFL juggernaut and a model for roster construction and team building. Agnew is also a relationship guy, something that USC desperately needs in its front office.
The biggest hurdle for USC is the fact that most likely both Detroit coordinators (Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson) will get head coaching jobs. The team that hires each coach will likely want to pair Agnew as their GM.
But as the Great One said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Who would be your top choice for USC Trojans GM?